Tuesday's Child for May 2, 2023

A Message from the Rev. Tina Rathbone

With God all things are possible. (It seems unlikely – but it’s true!) Take the flowers above. Every Wednesday I reverently pour whatever consecrated wine we have left from our 10 AM Eucharist onto the ground here. Wanting to mark the space, I planted bulbs in the space last Fall. Over the winter, however, I realized that this was the spot our neighbors used to pile up their winter salt and excess snow. Given this, I worried that nothing would be able to grow, but as soon as the snow melted, I began again to pour out the consecrated wine there, praying each time for new and abundant life. It is a tiny thing – so small as to be practically irrelevant in this world that is so full of suffering and loss – but it feels like a real miracle nonetheless that despite the salt and the heavy stack of long-lasting snow, the flowers finally bloomed. The first morning I saw them I almost dropped the chalice -- and then ran back to the chapel to celebrate with those who gather so faithfully there, week by week.

I pray that we may all be similarly strengthened by Jesus’ own life – and that, through him, we too will flourish, despite whatever conditions we may be facing that make it seem unlikely…..

Easter Season Community Lunch

Sunday, May 7th

In place of our coffee hour,

please join us right after our church service

for fellowship and a meal together!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We have a couple of promised donations still on their way and, knowing this, and that we would soon have all we needed, Andrea contacted the co-founder of the Pirogov First Mobile Hospital and bought the icon above! All proceeds from this beautiful work of art, written in the Ukraine on the lid of an ammunition box, will go to support the mobile hospital which brings medics to the front lines of eastern Ukraine. Since the Icons from Ammo Boxes project began, the mobile hospital has served 50,000 patients.

We have been told it will take anywhere from one to three months for the icon to arrive and when it does, we will celebrate! May God’s peace prevail before then, and may bloodshed and death cease…

The Rev. Tina Rathbone

GIDEON'S GARDEN

Spring Garden Volunteers!

Pictured above is our completed greenhouse made possible by Taft's generosity and a grant that Gideon's received last May. Thank you all who came out last week to help finalize and move into Gideon's new propagation house! Thank you Jim, Dutch, Laura, Alex, and Louise for all of your help.

With a space free for propagation, our Spring open volunteer hours will begin this week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-12pm. We will be seeding and doing light preparation work for the coming season. Even if you don't have a green thumb, everyone is welcome!

I will be a new kind of listener

BY MEREDITH HAIDER

(From ABUNDANT Times Winter/Spring 2023

by The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts)

I’m sitting in a waiting room when an acquaintance plops down next to me. “I know you’re dealing with a lot of medical issues,” she says. “Do you mind my asking what’s wrong with you?”

I want to turn to her and brightly say, “Not at all, but you go first!” Instead, I swallow my sarcasm and succinctly explain some of the chronic illnesses listed in my medical charts. I’ve learned that sharing anything more than a sound bite means people lose interest. I make sure to end on a positive note in a preemptive effort to ease this woman’s discomfort with my reality........(to continue reading, click the link below)

I will be a new kind of listener

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The People's Pantry

If anyone wants to volunteer at the People’s Pantry, there are shifts on Mondays from 3:30PM to 5:30PM, Thursdays from 8:30AM to 10:30AM and Thursdays 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Here’s the link:

https://www.thepeoplespantrygb.org/volunteer

Announcement from the Communications Office

Donate to Episcopal Relief & Development

MAKE AN URGENT GIFT-DONATE NOW Your immediate support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. By contributing today you will join our online...

support.episcopalrelief.org

Welcome Mats Made by Refugees | Thistle Farms Globa l

Handwoven and handmade by refugees in Greece, these welcome mats serve as a symbol of welcome and acceptance for refugees. Perfect to use in your home as a wall hanging or floor mat. Feel good about the products you buy at Thistle Farms and support refugees. Order yours today!

Love Welcomes.

thistlefarms.org

Babies are placed in the Mampong Home when their mother has died and they cannot be cared for at home.

It costs about $1,500 to support a baby over the time needed for the child to grow old enough to return to their home. Many years ago we at Grace decided to support babies at the Mampong Babies Home in Ghana at the rate of $1,500 per year. Your donations help us reach that goal each year. You can bring money or checks to church on Sundays and place in the jar near the Welcome Table or send a check to:

Grace Church,

P.O. Box 114,

Great Barrington, MA 01230.

LEARNING AND DISCOVERY

Becoming Beloved Community

Episcopal churches and communities across the Northeast are confronting their historical involvement in the slave economy

At the 2020 annual convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Resolution #7 was passed with the intent to recognize and confront systemic racism, white supremacy, and anti-Black bias in the nation and the diocese.

Read diocesan archivist Greg Farr's informative and personal account of the work they have done: Reflection from Connecticut

Are you interested in exploring the early records of St. James?

Contact Lee Cheek after Worship Service or leave a message at the Church Office

Daylong DISMANTLING RACISM Trainings by Zoom 2023

offered by the Diocese of Atlanta

Click here for more information

The old TV show The Millionaire, got us to thinking about the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-30, as we continued our discussion of Miguel de la Torre's "Reading the Bible from the Margins." We wondered whether we are called to give everything away and live a subsistence life? This did not seem feasible to us in a modern economy but the discussion led to some provocative questions.

God, you shower us with riches.

We are challenged to put them to use by sharing them with others.

We come together in awe and wonder at your generosity and love,

And pray that we can live up to the trust you have in us.

AMEN

Announcement from the Communications Office

Bishop Doug Fisher established a Compline community in 2020 that continues in faithfulness five nights a week. In addition to the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith and the Very Rev. Jim Munroe, Licensed Lay Worship Leaders will be added for Thursday and Friday evenings. Zoom info is available HERE.

Province 1: The Episcopal Church in New England

Conversations

with Noted Speakers

The Province 1 Christian Formation Network is hosting a series of online conversations. On the third Thursday of each month, participants will have the opportunity to hear from people at the forefront of Christian Formation. Registration required.

2023 Schedule:

May 18 - "Confirmation: The Lost Sacrament Finds Fresh Purpose" - The Rev. Josh Hosler
Jun 15 - "Atrium for Everyone: Incorporating practices from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd or Godly Play into any program" - The Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock

I WANT SOME FRIENDS

BOOKS AND BREAD

Will meet on

Wednesday, May 10

at 6:00 PM to discuss

Beautiful World, Where Are You?

by Sally Rooney

Join us. All are welcome!

Questions?

Please contact Peter Kirchoff.

For Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)

THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER

Join us for lively conversation

and fellowship in

a local restaurant .....TBD

on May 21 at 6:00 PM

ALL are welcome!

Separate checks

For more information contact

George Raymond.

MOVIE NITE

Watch at home at home then,

Join us for a discussion of

SCENT OF A WOMAN

(Our discussion leader will be Mark Anderson.)

This is an American drama film produced and directed by Martin Brest that tells the story of a preparatory school student who takes a job as an assistant to an irritable, blind, medically retired Army lieutenant colonel.

on May 4, at 7:00 PM

on Zoom.

To join this Zoom meeting

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

PRAYERS AND CARES

Step into Grace

Where strangers become friends

We are an Open and Affirming church. Every one of every age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, or economic status is invited to join us as together we live

out the Gospel message of love, forgiveness, service, and justice.

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey- you are welcome here.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 7, 2023

at 10:00 AM

In person & live-streamed

on ZOOM

Please visit our website:

https://graceberkshires.org/visitor/

for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.

Celebrant and Officiant:

The Rev. Tina Rathbone

Click here for WEB site ROTA

HOLY WEEK SERVICES and ZOOM INVITATIONS

FOR GRACE CHURCH

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 7, 2023

at 10:00 AM

For Zoom

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Contemplative Eucharist

Wednesday at 10:00 AM

In person at Grace Chapel

and to join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Bible Study

Tuesday (Resumes soon.

Stay tuned for updates)

at 7:00 - 8:00 PM

To join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Centering Prayer

Thursdays at 5:00 PM

In person and on Zoom

To join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Movie Nite

Thursday, May 4

at 7:00 PM on Zoom

To join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Books and Bread,

Wednesday,

May 10, 2023

at 6:00 PM

In person and on Zoom

To join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Third Sunday Supper

(Every Third Sunday)

May 21, at 6:00 PM

In person

More information in the

article found above.

Our Prayer Basket

We welcome you to use our

prayer basket.

On Sundays you will find a basket near the Welcome Table with slips of paper available for you to write down prayer requests. Please ask for any prayers that are important to you and those you love. You may identify yourself and those for whom prayers are needed, but names are not necessary or required. These prayers will be offered by our healing ministers both during the service and during the week for a period of one month. Keep an eye out for the basket!!

To listen to Sarah Sieber explaining the operation of the Prayer Basket CLICK HERE

(K. Clausen)

Fifth Sunday

of Easter

John 14:1-14

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

The King of Love My Shepherd

The Bath Chorus sing this lovely hymn by J B Dykes – tune Dominus Regit Me

The King of love my shepherd is,

whose goodness faileth never.

I nothing lack if I am his,

and he is mine forever.

2 Where streams of living water flow,

my ransomed soul he leadeth;

and where the verdant pastures grow,

with food celestial feedeth.

3 Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed,

but yet in love he sought me;

and on his shoulder gently laid,

and home, rejoicing, brought me.

4 In death's dark vale I fear no ill,

with thee, dear Lord, beside me;

thy rod and staff my comfort still,

thy cross before to guide me.

5 Thou spreadst a table in my sight;

thy unction grace bestoweth;

and oh, what transport of delight

from thy pure chalice floweth!

6 And so through all the length of days,

thy goodness faileth never;

Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise

within thy house forever.

Praying for each other and for the needs of the world is a vital mission of Grace Church. To add a prayer request to this list, please contact the Church Office

office@graceberkshires.org or by phone 413-644-0022.

We supply this list so you may contact members of our congregation who are at home or in a nursing facility. Please hold in your prayers and reach out as you can.

BLAKELY, Rosemarie

BOWENS, Marina

BREASTED, John

BROOKS, Jane

FRYE, Vonnie

GORE, Barbara

HAIDER, Meredith

McCURDY, Deborah

TURNER, Barbara

GRACE

CHURCH

Please include

in your daily prayers this week:

Members of the Parish Family:

Cathy Haywood, Margaret O’Clair, Mark Anderson, Dindy Anderson, Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, , Meredith Haider, Rosemarie Blakely, Marina Bowens, Charles Folger, Barbara Gore, and Barbara Turner.

Others we love: Justine Harari, beloved friend of Tina Rathbone; Vincent Pelletier, beloved family member of Kevin and Desside; Michael Holmes, Debbie Holmes’ grandson; Kelly & Elijah; Denise Chandler; James Driscoll; Livia Driscoll; All those grieving the death of Ellen Elizabeth Hilpl; All those grieving the death of Jack Stedman; Wendy Reeve and Ed Hunt; Cynthia Griesing, Holly Murray’s mother; Karen LaRocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy; the Hardenberg family, friends of Lynn Walker; Sophia, grieving the sudden death of her son.

Those who have died: Claire White, Steve White’s mother; Jeanne Litterio, Steve White’s aunt; Ellen Elizabeth Hilpl; Joe Merola; Jim Driscoll, father of Gideon’s Garden intern, James Driscoll; Michael Rywkin, Monique Kirchoff’s father; Wendy Reeve, Cathy Haywood’s sister; Jack Stedman; Ed Hunt, brother-in-law of Anne Andrews; Richard Edelstein, husband of Pat and beloved friend of our congregation; Sam Raymond; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes

Our world: For all those who have died, who have been wounded, or have lost someone they love in the earthquake in Syria and Turkey. For the people of the Ukraine and of all places of violence and war, that peace may prevail and human fear and suffering diminish. For Tyre Nichols and his mother RowVaughn Wells and for all who love him. For all victims of gun violence and institutionalized racism in this country. We pray also for those who inflict gun violence on others. For people who are suffering from COVID, those who have died and those who mourn. For all who are alone, or afraid, or despairing. For prisoners, unhoused people, newly arrived immigrants and all our neighbors, near and far.

The many ministries of our local community and the Diocese of Western Massachusetts: For our partners at St. Paul's and the Revs. Libby Wade, Jane Tillman; the Rev. Sam Smith as he begins his ministry at All Saints, Worcester; Christ Trinity and the Rev. Erik Karas; our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Doug Fisher; and the Mampong Babies' Home in Ghana; St. Andrew’s, Longmeadow; Commission on Ministry;

Third Order of Franciscans Faith Alive;

The Episcopal Network for

Stewardship (TENS)

The Church's wider mission:

The Church in Wales

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Charlene Peet, 5/5; Dindy Anderson, 5/7; Mimi Alford, 5/7.

Join us for

Centering Prayer

now in person and on ZOOM

Every Thursday

5:00 - 6:00 PM

Encouraging a practice of silence and stillness we focus on practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina using scripture, art and music. All are welcome.

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

WHAT ARE YOU

GRATEFUL FOR?

In this time of fear and anxiety, it can be easy to miss the daily blessings that are right in front of us. Being grateful is not just for good times. Being grateful is even more important when fear sets a place at your table and heartbreak seems to be in your every breath. Because by being grateful we become aware of all the ways God is working in us. Being grateful is a part of our healing and our deliverance. Being grateful is where our best selves reside.

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

Thank you for giving generously to support the ministry of Grace. You may continue to mail your contributions to Grace Church, P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230.

WELCOME

TO CHURCH SCHOOL!

Church School Sunday

During church school, we talked about the earth and taking care of it. We read a book about God creating the earth so we could remember that story. We then read a new book, “Dear Mama God,” which thanks God for everything on earth.

Afterward, one child wrote a poem called “I Love Earth.” We discussed ways of improving the earth. Some ideas were: making your own toy out of recycled materials, picking up trash, recycling, and making a speech to remind people about recycling and not littering.

One child said: “Every day is Earth Day.”